Drivers heading to Lincoln Saturday should plan ahead and allow extra time as the city prepares for increased traffic from two University of Nebraska-Lincoln sporting events. UNL will host Georgia Tech in volleyball at 2 p.m., followed by Bowling Green in football at 6:00 p.m.
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities is urging visitors to allow an additional 30 minutes to an hour of travel time. Drivers should check traffic conditions before leaving, consider alternate routes, follow traffic-control signs and watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation will temporarily open Exit 401A, I-180 south, at 10 a.m. for westbound traffic from I-80. The exit will close again at halftime of the football game and will continue to reopen for future football pregame traffic only.
Visitors from Omaha and northeast Nebraska have five I-80 exit options: Lincoln Airport Exit 399, Ninth Street Exit 401 for pregame traffic, 27th Street Exit 403, 56th Street Exit 405 and Waverly Exit 409. LTU says Exit 399 and Exit 403 have no construction impacts on those routes.
Drivers coming from Nebraska City or the east are encouraged to use Nebraska Parkway, South 84th Street, Old Cheney Road, 70th Street and Normal Boulevard. Travelers from Beatrice and other areas south of Lincoln should take Highway 77 to Van Dorn Street, 10th Street and “N” Street into the Haymarket.
Those coming from Kearney or west of Lincoln should take I-80 to I-180 Exit 401 for downtown Lincoln. LTU will monitor traffic throughout the day and coordinate with public safety and event partners to help keep traffic moving.